A key problem is that nitroglycerin can become unstable, with explosions triggered by the slightest vibration.
Factors tending to make nitroglycerin unstable:
(1) storage temperature
(2) time since produced
(3) impurities
Methods of stabilizing:
(1) mixing with diatomaceous earth (dynamite)
(2) mixing with other compounds (collodion, ethanol, acetone, dinitrotoluene, etc)
(3) refrigeration to 5-10°C at which point it freezes (re-warming can be sensitizing if done too rapidly)
Some examples of nitroglycerin products:
(1) Blasting gelatin: nitroglycerin plus collodion
(2) Cordite: guncotton, nitroglycerin and petroleum jelly
